Rising groundwater table due to restoration projects amplifies earthquake induced liquefaction risk in Beijing
This study examines the relationship between an elevated groundwater table and seismic ground liquefaction, using Beijing as a case study under the influence of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project. China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project is one of the largest water transfer initiatives aimed at restoring groundwater and addressing water shortages in Beijing. However, the impact of such a large-scale groundwater restoration on regional seismic stability remains largely unknown. Groundwater table depth records were collected and used to drive three-dimensional geotechnical models, which generated ground liquefaction hazard maps.
The findings indicate a significant increase in both the coverage and severity of liquefaction as a result of the rising groundwater table. Infrastructure developed during the rapid urbanization process was often constructed under conditions of a lower groundwater table and is therefore inadequately prepared for this heightened seismic risk. These results underscore the importance of considering the seismic consequences of large-scale groundwater restoration projects.
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